South Jersey Men's Senior Baseball League - (Cinnaminson, NJ)

Baseball players are normally used to being signed, traded and drafted.

However, for Kevin Willis of the 18+ Marlton Athletics, the stakes have suddenly gotten a bit greater than runs, hits or errors.  
 
Prior to the 2009 season,  the 19-year-old infielder/pitcher had planned to play one last summer of baseball before beginning the next stage of his young life in September, when his enlistment into the United States Marine Corps was scheduled to begin with Basic Training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot - Parris Island, located in Beaufort, South Carolina.
 
However, shortly after Opening Day, the Blackwood native learned that his entry into the U.S. Marine Corps could possibly be traded up to a late July/early August start - in order to fill specific manpower shortages that fellow recruits entering before him were unable to succesfully fill.  Then, in early June, he got "the call" which suddently changed everything.  
 
No, it was not the call that every baseball player dreams of, to join a major league club.  Instead it was a call up into a whole different "show."   Willis' Marine recruiter informed him that his enlistment had indeed been moved up - not to late July or August, but to today, June 15th.  
 
With the sudden change came a unique opportunity, one that most every U.S. Marine hopes for,  the chance to train with the United States Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC).  As a member of the U.S. Marine Special Forces, upon completion of his training, Willis will be front and center in conducting various overt and clandestine missions, ranging from unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense and special reconnaissance to Civil Affairs, counter-terrorism and War on Drugs operations. 
 
At last Thursday's Marlton A's workout at Cherokee High School,  Willis took a few extra hacks in the batting cage before saying goodbye to his teammates, who universally support their departing teammate's new adventure.
 
"He's a great kid and we are all very proud of Kevin as he begins his service to the country,"  commented A's Manager Terry Annese.  "Kevin has promised to keep in touch and will certainly take the well wishes of his buddies from the diamond with him to Parris Island and beyond."
 
The Marlton Athletics team has been down this road before.  In fact, 2009 represents the third consecutive year that players from the 18+ A's ballclub have gone on to serve their country.  In 2007,  the ballclub featured pitcher/infielder Eddie Ibarra, who was an active member of the United States Army stationed at Fort Dix while playing for the A's on Sundays.  Eddie spent the majority of the season with Marlton before being reassigned to the West Coast in August.   During the 2007 and 2008 seasons, A's catcher Rick Shellem served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves, before completing his service in 2008.  Shellem currently serves as the Manager of the 25+ Marlton Mariners.  Finally, in 2008, A's infielder J.T. Maahs played the whole regular season with the ballclub, but departed for Basic Training with the United States Army during the 18+ playoffs.  This month, after completing several domestic assignments,  Maahs shipped oversees to join Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan.  
 
To Kevin Willis and all our fighting men and women serving our country so we can continue to be free,  be safe and Godspeed in completing your duty.